How the Pandemic is impacting pregnancy, IVF and adoption decisions.

Infertility affects both men and women and the pandemic has created and added layer of stress that needs to be addressed for a successful pregnancy.

Struggling with fertility is anxiety producing and one of the most stressful situations for women and couples.  A study shows that 68% (204 million) of Americans are worried about their family’s health related to COVID-19. 

The pandemic has increased the level of fear and anxiety over whether it is safe to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy and baby. The influence of Covid-19 pandemic on the psychological status of infertile couples is having an affect.

Studies report that as many as 30 percent of women are postponing pregnancy because of all this (health risks and worries; isolation; job loss and more)

Women with infertility will still be recovering from having their fertility treatments cancelled, surgeries postponed and closed clinics. Many women feel like they will have to start from square one. There is concern about when it will be safe to resume treatments and if COVID-19 would cause deformities such as Zika virus.

The information on the impact of Covid-19 has not been conclusive making it difficult for couples to decide if it is safe to move forward with getting pregnant. 

The CDC findings are that pregnant women are at risk for more severe illness from covid versus non-pregnant women. 

Pregnant women with Covid-19 or more likely to be admitted to the hospital and in the ICU with a 70% more likely to need ventilators according to data, though death numbers are not impacted. Even with these findings there are gaps in the data.

What do we know for sure? 

Patients that have pre-existing health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and immune problems that would have also been considered high risk under normal circumstances are at higher risk if they contract Covid-19. 

During pregnancy there are changes in the immune system that make women more prone to severe illness from influenza and can also be harmful to the developing baby. Flu vaccines are an added protection during pregnancy because the antibodies will pass on to the developing baby. 

The difference with Covid-19 is that there is no vaccine available and will take time to study efficacy once it is used.

 What can couples do now?

Each couple will have to take a hard look at their health right now and if they can improve their overall health, which in turn will help with fertility and pregnancy. Look at setting a timeline and health goals around getting pregnant for both male and female.  If it is possible to postpone or wait a bit, couples that can are rethinking when they will resume if they are working with a fertility clinic. 

Taking a whole health perspective of eating well, exercising, losing weight and stress reduction will help to strengthen their immune system and reduce their risks of severe illness. 

Relieve Stress

Stress is the biggest disrupter of reproductive hormones. It’s not about relaxing, it is about the overall function of the nervous system being triggered over and over creating anxiety.

Focus on your overall health

Think of the big picture of habits that contribute to your overall health - sleep, nutrition, exercise, mind-body practices, and self-care. This can also include the relationship with your partner, as fertility can put a strain on relationships. These habits all support fertility, no matter what stage of the fertility journey you are on. 

Holistic approaches

Acupuncture: studies show acupuncture can improve fertility outcomes for both men and women. Acupuncture helps to regulate the nervous system and has shown to activate certain neuropeptides in the brain that reduce inflammation and stimulate the immune system to heal. 

Males: It is important that male fertility is investigated. Studies show the virus can damage testicular cells and interfere with spermatogenesis causing problems with male fertility. Men should get tested for antibodies and also sperm health, preemptively they can freeze sperm for the future as well.

The Best Ways to Boost Immunity Naturally

People are asking is “how can I improve my immune system and protect my family and friends that may be at greater risk of infection?.”

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) has sent shockwaves around the Globe. People are asking is “how can I improve my immune system and protect my family and friends that may be at greater risk of infection?.”

Everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed, panicked and scared, this is normal.

What is important that you know there are things that you can do for yourself that are simple and will have a positive impact on your health and immunity.

I am sharing a full list on “how to boost your immune system”, that was partly included in the published article for Askmen.com.

The best way to boost immunity naturally is to take something that you already do (such as sleep, eat and think) and make small shifts so that it becomes part of a routine. 

• Drink Tea as well as water! Both green and black teas (Camellia Sinensis family) have shown to have natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties . The antioxidants in black help prevent stomach cancers and have a direct bactericidal effect against Streptococcus mutans. The throat is the gateway for bacteria and viruses to enter the body so Tea is what the doctor ordered.

• Coconut oil: With all the hand washing, the natural oils and bacteria that act as a barrier of protection get washed away. Dry cracked skin is an easy target for infection. Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal and moisturizing at the same time. You can also swish coconut oil in your mouth to help fight gum irritation too.

• Limit the electronics: We have so much media consumption with fear about the future is emotionally draining. Communicating via email or texts is isolating and can lead to depression. Lack of human contact has a toll on your health. Face-to-face socializing reduces depression.  Instead have a conversation on the phone, or make a point of smiling or saying hello to a stranger. 

• Sleep: One of the best ways to boost immunity is to get quality sleep. It is during sleep that we are able to regenerate and heal. We also produce cytokines, a  protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response. Long term  sleep problems are associated with many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and pain. 

• Digestion: Gut health on the inside is what will protect you from viruses and bacterial infections on the outside. Gut homeostasis helps reduce body inflammations and helps with brain functioning. There is a brain gut connection with over 90% of serotonin being produced in the digestive tract. Taking Probiotics and Prebiotics to help keep your digestion in order as well as your emotional resilience.

• Food as medicine: Incorporate superfoods into your diet. Superfoods such as dark vegetable, mushrooms, berries, avocado, nuts and seeds and more. These are also nutrient dense and have health benefits beyond their nutrients.

• Mindfulness: We have a monkey brain and when we worry too much our nervous system goes into stress mode, fight or flight. The release of adrenaline and cortisol on a constant low level damages our connective tissues and immune system. Focusing 10 minutes a day on clearing your mind of mental chatter and doing walking outdoors, stretching, or a moving meditation such as Tai Chi, QI Gong or Yoga helps to rewire the brain and strengthen the mind body connection and support overall health.

• Longevity mindset: Acupuncture and Chinese is based on the principles of balance. Seek out someone with a holistic health perspective that looks at your health individually and will teach you how to maximize your health.

When this health crisis has settled we can look at what we can do better.

What Can we Love about the Coronavirus?

For once multiple countries are working together to stop this highly contagious Covid-19 from spreading.

THIS COULD BE THE ANSWER TO WORLD PEACE... we may only see this kind of cooperation when aliens attack Earth.

For once multiple countries are working together to stop this highly contagious illness from spreading.

There is nothing like a deadly virus along with a media pandemic to get us to pay attention to our inadequate healthcare system and how well we personally are prepared for health crises such as Covid-19. 

I only wish that the news cycles would give some EQUAL focus on the vast number of people that have recovered from the virus and alternatives they are using to stay healthy. 

If Covid-19 has your attention, you are not alone. This is a wake up call to getting serious about real risks to your health and how close we as a society come to self destruction because of our own neglect to our health and world around us.

YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED AND PROTECT YOURSELF

The REALITY is when we tell ourselves we "don't have time" or "I wish I could", we are missing the subtlety that health and wellness is not a priority.  I believe that this is a seminal moment as a society to take the coronavirus as a wake up call.

It's not okay to ignore the fact that we need to be in GREAT health ALL the time.

Viruses and bacterial infections are opportunistic, meaning they find a weakness in your body and enter. 

It is no surprise the people most vulnerable to dying from the flu and the coronavirus have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, depression, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.  These chronic illnesses are preventable.

Aside from all the precautions of hand washing, not touching your face, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, washing surfaces etc. there is more that you can do and quite frankly should do.

Currently no vaccine is available for Covid-19 so when we do encounter the coronavirus, how well we recover will depend on how strong our body and it’s immune system is.

You should be aware that vaccines are not the only way to prevent the effects of deadly viruses. Clinical trials and studies show that Chinese herbal medicine was effectively used for prevention and treatment of SARS and H1N1 influenza.  Combined with antivirals patients recovered faster than those that did not use the herbal medicine.

It is not a plant medicine substitute with healing properties, it is a system of healthcare practices.

Because Chinese medicine has been treating infectious diseases for thousands of years with herbs and acupuncture as well as other healing methods, traditional Chinese medicine is being used right now on thousands of patients with the coronavirus. 

Antivirals will not be enough right now to support and complement antiviral drugs being administered to the people with coronavirus. 

That is why Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbs, massage, and mind body principles are so powerful and effective for staying healthy and recovering quickly from illnesses.  This is something that antibiotics, antivirals or surgery doesn't help with.

The main principles of Chinese medicine are to cultivate health, wellness and longevity. This is playing a long game. 

Cultivating health and wellness is relevant for now and for the future, and is something I help my patients get clear on what they can do. 

If you feel you have all the answers you need or this topic is not resonating with you that is completely normal. I don’t expect everyone to find relevance or urgency to make changes to how they approach their health for a better future.

What will NOT work: Buying face masks, stocking up on hand sanitizers and bleaching everything in sight. This is tantamount to hiding under your desk during a nuclear attack. It’s being “doing something”, but will not really help.

If you want to know more, please keep reading.

What is the REAL danger to your health and future? 

APATHY

Lack of interest, concern or enthusiasm where your health is concerned. Here is where you have the power to care enough to take some action.

Are you at risk of catching the coronavirus? 

We can’t be certain,  but what we can be sure of is there will be another pandemic virus and each time they emerge smarter.

Currently no vaccine is available for this Covid-19 and a vaccine is not a guarantee of safety by any means.  It will always be up to our immune systems to respond to the virus and if we are strong enough to survive it when we are exposed.

How can acupuncture and Chinese medicine play a pivotal role in preventing the coronavirus?

Chinese medicine is a collaborative medicine, meaning patient and practitioner work together to find health solutions, educate and empower the patient to heal themselves.  This is done by strengthening the protective qi (immune system) from penetration by pathogens (viruses and bacteria) and regulating internal systems such as the nervous system, immune system, breathing, sleep, emotionally, digestion, lymph and circulation. 

The most important thing that you can do to protect yourself from the flu virus and other illnesses, is to have a health practice everyday all year round.  In addition to a series of personalized acupuncture sessions that can quickly and efficiently help your body regulate itself, here are some basic steps.

What does a health practice look like? 

1. Sleep 7-8 hours of regenerative sleep

2. Diet - nutritionally dense and organic

3. Movement - exercise that help with circulation, mobility, strength and function

4. Mindfulness practice - consciousness around what you listen to and the thoughts that create your reality.

5. Regular acupuncture will get your body and mind in order much more efficiently so you don’t waste time. 

If you are stressed out, not sleeping, overweight, not exercising or eating healthy foods your immune system will be weak and unable to protect you.  Areas that you have control over are a great place to start.

What changes you can do now to avoid health pitfalls?

With all the health information available to people I was shocked at the statistics of causes of death in the US…

Poor diet:  678,000 deaths each year in the U.S., due to nutrition- and obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Tobacco: 480,000 (according to the CDC reports)

Alcohol: 88,000 (NIAAA-NIH)

Influenza: According to the CDC, the latest reports show in 2019-2020 influenza(flu) has caused the deaths of 16,000-41,000 Americans, hospitalized 280,000-500,000, and sickened 29 -41 million.